Division is a prevalent issue in today’s society. The Bible speaks extensively about the dangers of division & the importance of avoiding it. We must understand division & how to combat it with wisdom & discernment.
There is a spirit of division at work in our world today, so we must learn to recognize its tactics & combat it. This spirit is responsible for creating rifts & schisms within families, marriages, friendships, the workplaces & even in churches. There are many Scriptures about division.
In Matthew 12:25, Jesus tells us that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:10 in the Amplified Bible, “But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].”
Proverbs 6 warns us about the dangers of sowing discord among brothers & sisters. It tells us that God hates it when people stir up conflict & cause strife among believers.
Similarly, in Romans 16:17-18, Paul warns us about those who create division & cause obstacles contrary to the doctrine that we have been taught. He tells us to avoid them & to be wise about their intentions.
1 Corinthians 3:3 says, “You are still worldly [controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity]. For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not unspiritual, and are you not walking like ordinary men [unchanged by faith]?” And, Jude 1:19 similarly discusses divisive people. “These are the ones who are [agitators] causing divisions—worldly-minded [secular, unspiritual, carnal, merely sensual—unsaved], devoid of the Spirit.”
When we constantly prioritize our own desires & ambitions above the good of others, we create division. We must learn to submit to one another & seek the good of others too, not just ourselves. We always must be careful not to fall into the trap of worldly thinking & instead seek the wisdom & guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In Luke 12:51, Jesus says, “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division [between believers and unbelievers];” At first glance, this may seem to contradict the Bible’s message of unity & peace. However, when we read this verse in context with others, we see that Jesus referred to the natural division between belivers & unbelievers.
We must be willing to stand firm in our faith, even if it means facing opposition & persecution from those who do not believe. However, this does not mean that we should create division where it shouldn’t be. We must be discerning & wise in our relationships & interactions with others.
An important key to combating division is love. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:14, ” Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].” We must approach others with love, kindness & humility.
Wisdom is also crucial in avoiding destructive division. We must seek God’s wisdom & guidance as we interact with others. We must be good examples of our faith with demonstrating love & promoting unity while also not compromising our faith. We also must be wise enough to know when to end relationships that are unhealthy or even toxic.
I firmly believe everyone must be on guard against division & actively work to create unity & peace in relationships. Love, wisdom, discernment & most of all a strong faith in God will do wonders for combating a spirit of division.
Cynthia Bailey-Rug, Christian Author 
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